Drinking straw pump apparatus and method for using

Abstract

The invention relates to a disposable drinking straw pump apparatus and method for using the apparatus. The apparatus contains a manual pump device and two unidirectional valves, which enable the user to direct the flow of liquid through the apparatus and into the user's mouth by compressing and releasing the pump device. In addition to its functional value for those with orofacial disabilities, the drinking straw pump apparatus has entertainment value for those who prefer to manually pump liquid into their mouths, and also as a training tool in developing the muscles and dexterity involved with the suction creation process.

1 . A drinking straw pump apparatus comprising:
 a. a liquid-receiving section;   b. a mouth-receiving section;   c. a pump device, the pump device located between the liquid-receiving section and the mouth-receiving section;   d. a first valve located between the liquid-receiving section and the pump device; and   e. a second valve located between the pump device and the mouth-receiving section.   
   
   
       2 . The drinking straw pump apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the apparatus is fabricated using a lightweight, durable, and pliable material, generally impermeable to liquids and solutions. 
   
   
       3 . The drinking straw pump apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the material is plastic. 
   
   
       4 . The drinking straw pump apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the liquid-receiving section comprises an elongated, cylindrical portion located most distally to a user's mouth and is capable of creating a vacuum-suction to facilitate the transfer of a liquid from within a liquid-containing vessel proximally from the liquid-containing vessel toward a user's mouth. 
   
   
       5 . The drinking straw pump apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the pump device is designed to withdraw a liquid from a liquid-containing vessel into the pump device and then eject the liquid from the pump device into the mouth-receiving section. 
   
   
       6 . The drinking straw pump apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the pump device is generally spherical in shape and is capable of manual compression by a user. 
   
   
       7 . The drinking straw pump apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the mouth-receiving section comprises an elongated, cylindrical portion located proximally to a user's mouth and is capable of creating a vacuum-suction to facilitate the transfer of a liquid proximally from the pump device to the user's mouth. 
   
   
       8 . The drinking straw pump apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first valve comprises a one-way flow device capable of allowing a liquid to flow proximally from a liquid-containing vessel to the pump device. 
   
   
       9 . The drinking straw pump apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first valve further comprises a cylindrical valve chamber housing a ball capable of moving between a lower first valve opening and a lower second valve opening. 
   
   
       10 . The drinking straw pump apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the lower first valve opening comprises an aperture capable of being sealed by the ball when the pump device is compressed creating positive pressure towards the lower first valve opening, thereby moving the ball distally and preventing liquid within the pump device to flow back into the liquid-containing vessel. 
   
   
       11 . The drinking straw pump apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the lower second valve opening is constructed to prevent blockage by the ball housed within the valve chamber when the pump device is released, thereby creating a negative pressure towards the pump device, which moves the ball proximally and allows liquid to be transported through the lower first valve opening, the valve chamber, and the lower second valve opening. 
   
   
       12 . The drinking straw pump apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the second valve further comprises a second cylindrical valve chamber housing a ball capable of moving between an upper first valve opening and an upper second valve opening. 
   
   
       13 . The drinking straw pump apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the second valve further comprises a one-way flow device capable of allowing liquid to flow proximally from the pump device to a user's mouth. 
   
   
       14 . The drinking straw pump apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the upper first valve opening comprises an aperture capable of being sealed when the pump device is released creating negative pressure towards the pump device, thereby moving the ball distally, preventing liquid within the mouth-receiving section to flow back into the pump device. 
   
   
       15 . The drinking straw pump apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the upper second valve opening is constructed to prevent blockage by the ball housed within the second valve chamber when the pump device is compressed, which creates positive pressure toward the upper second valve opening, and allows liquid to be transported through the upper first valve opening, the second valve chamber, and the upper second valve opening. 
   
   
       16 . The drinking straw pump apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a lower intermediate straw section located between the first valve and the pump device, allowing for a larger volume of liquid to be stored between the first valve and the second valve. 
   
   
       17 . The drinking straw pump apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising an upper intermediate straw section located between the pump device and the second valve, allowing for a larger volume of liquid to be stored between the first valve and the second valve. 
   
   
       18 . A method for transferring liquid from a liquid-containing vessel to a user's mouth without the need for suction using a drinking straw pump apparatus, the method comprising:
 a. placing a liquid-receiving end of the drinking straw pump apparatus into a liquid-containing vessel;   b. compressing a pump device located on the body of the drinking straw pump apparatus;   c. releasing the pump device; and   d. repeating the compression and the release as needed to deliver an adequate amount of liquid to the user's mouth.   
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the drinking straw pump apparatus further comprises two one-way flow valves located distally and proximally to the pump device, which prevent liquid from flowing out of the pump device into the liquid-containing vessel.